Photo Journal: White wonderland

Women view a carpet of white flowers of buckwheat plants in the Shokawacho district of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, on July 11, 2017. The plants are likely to be in full bloom until early next week. Local farmers are growing buckwheat plants in an area of idle rice paddies spanning about 1.8 hectares. This year, the growth of the plants is about 10 days behind average years due to the relatively lower amount of rain during the ongoing rainy season and other factors. Harvesting is expected to begin sometime in August. (Mainichi)